Standing as one of the top five largest playgrounds in Oklahoma, KidSpace Park is a space-age wonderland that will draw play-ready visitors from all around. Designed not only with children in mind, this innovative commercial playground has options for teens and adults, as well.

As part of this project, the original park and playground were demolished to make room for the $3.5 million, 7.6-acre destination park and playground with age-specific spaces, a 40-yard dash, a challenge course, sports courts, an event lawn, picnic areas, a trail system, a restroom facility, and improved parking lots.

Planning the Next Chapter
The idea for the KidSpace Park project emerged in 2019, when the City of Shawnee recognized the need for an innovative outdoor recreational area that would cater specifically to children. A series of meetings, site visits, consultations, and conceptual designs with Planning Design Group (PDG) from Tulsa, OK laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the new KidSpace Park and Playground.

The goal was to create a space that would not only be visually appealing, but also stimulate children's imagination, encourage physical activity, and promote social interaction. With a strong emphasis on safety and interactive play, the project gained momentum and quickly became a focal point of community pride and anticipation. The park's color scheme played a role in the overall redesign of the playground. Orange hues were utilized for their connection with joy, enthusiasm, creativity, and warmth. Yellows were added to symbolically bring out happiness, optimism, hope, and energy. Meanwhile, greens and blues were selected as a connection to nature, peacefulness, loyalty, and intelligence.

 
Design Coming to Life
The geometric design gives a new meaning to the name "KidSpace" by lending a futuristic flair to the landscape. A massive custom tower-and-slide complex provides exhilarating play options for kids 5-to-12-years-old while, across the park, a standard smaller play structure provides endless unscripted play possibilities for children of elementary age. The adjacent structure for 2-to-5-year-olds provides those children with an innovative play system designed just for them with climbing, sliding, imaginative play, and balancing options. With easy access to the park entry, an inclusive spinner invites kids of all abilities, including those with mobility devices, to spin and collaborate. Also included in the play features are a fully synthetic turf 40-yard dash with digital timers, a challenge course with digital timing, cornhole boards, horseshoe pits, outdoor table tennis, two pickleball courts, a basketball court, a skate park (existing on site), an event lawn with a giant chess/checkerboard made of concrete, lounge areas, synthetic turf berms, tunnels, shade structures, a custom picnic pavilion, and a concrete trail system encompassing the entire park.

The park and playground provide a safe, accessible play experience. The equipment was inspected by certified professionals to ensure compliance with all safety standards. Soft, impact-absorbing surfaces are installed beneath play structures, reducing the risk of injuries due to falls. Clear signage and well-maintained pathways guide visitors throughout the site, minimizing potential hazards.

Challenges Faced
Throughout the process of bringing this site back to life, the design team faced numerous challenges from community, city, and environmental factors. The community was initially apprehensive about the removal of the existing play structures because of their connection with the public. The original playground was funded and constructed by residents within the community, which required a very sensitive process.

The park has held a special place in the hearts of the Shawnee community since its initial construction in 2001. The original playground was part of a popular trend in community service in the late '90s and early-2000s where wooden-towered fortresses were constructed by residents all over the nation, as well as in some other countries. These projects were built with most of the funds coming from limited private donations. Due to aging lumber, many of those castle playgrounds have since been demolished and replaced, but some remain.

When working to overcome this challenge, collaboration with all parties involved was essential. Engaging with the city to gather feedback, address concerns, and involve as many people as possible in the decision-making process was crucial to ensure transparency and build support for the project. City administrators played a key role in coordinating the project, securing funding through completion, and obtaining necessary approvals. By fostering open communication, listening to input, and offering opportunities for participation, a successful transition from the old playground to the new one was achieved. Building consensus through dialogue, providing clear information about the benefits of the new park and playground, and addressing any potential challenges or drawbacks helped create a shared vision for the project and ultimately led to a positive outcome for all involved.

Meanwhile, providing durable products that can withstand the punishment of public parks is significant to any public project, which was overcome by utilizing strategic planning and careful selection of materials and products. Public parks are high-traffic areas subjected to heavy use, weather conditions, and potential vandalism, making durability a top priority. To address this challenge, the design team worked with manufacturers and city administrators to source products made from heavy-duty metals, high-quality plastics, and weather-resistant finishes that can withstand constant wear and tear. Additionally, informing the city about regular maintenance and inspections was crucial to help them prolong the lifespan of the park amenities. Collaborating with manufacturers that specialize in producing durable park equipment and investing in quality craftsmanship helped ensure the team specified products with longevity that will reduce the need for frequent replacements. By prioritizing durability and implementing proactive maintenance strategies, public parks can offer safe and enjoyable recreational spaces for the community for years to come.

A New Beginning
The opening of KidSpace Park marked the beginning of a new chapter for the community of Shawnee, providing a space where children can learn, grow, and play together in a safe and welcoming environment.

Tens of thousands of people have already visited the site for everyday use, including birthday parties, playing on the sports courts, taking a stroll on the trail, or just enjoying the lounge chairs. The design team provided services like research, planning, conceptual design, construction detailing, and construction administration. This was all done by working side-by-side with the design team to create a new, modern, accessible, inclusive, safe, and state-of-the-art park and playground for the City of Shawnee. They were able to collaborate to establish construction methods that would maintain and improve accessibility and provide the ability to expand the uses in the future. Ultimately, the design team was able to provide a design that met and exceeded the city's expectations while keeping in mind the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

Since completion, the project has been recognized by the Associated General Contractors of Oklahoma (AGCOK) with the Best-in-Class Award for the reconstruction of Shawnee's KidSpace Park!

The KidSpace Park and Playground stands as a testament to community collaboration and a shared vision for a vibrant recreational space for children and families.